EC clears offshore wind JV for 492 MW of Belgian projects

Rentel, Seastar and Mermaid projects (www.otary.be).

July 11 (Renewables Now) - Dutch utility Eneco and French peer Engie SA (EPA:ENGI) have secured approval by the European Commission (EC) to take stakes in the 246-MW Mermaid and 246-MW Seastar wind projects in Belgian waters.

The EC said on Friday the two firms will join Otary group, which gathers eight Belgian offshore wind players. The partners will form a joint venture between Otary RS NV of Belgium, Eneco Wind Belgium NV and Electrabel NV, Engie’s Belgian unit.

According to the EC, the proposed transaction will not raise competition concerns due to the “pre-existing ownership rights of the companies over the windfarm concessions” and the existence of similar projects either under development or to receive concessions.

The Mermaid and Seastar projects are part of a portfolio of 716 MW, for which the Belgian government in 2017 announced a negotiated price of EUR 79 (USD 92.7) per MWh. The plants will be located in an offshore wind zone off the coast of Zeebrugge and will use Siemens Gamesa equipment. Both of them are slated to be commissioned by 2020.

Veselina Petrova is one of SeeNews Renewables most experienced green energy writers. For several years she has been keeping track of game-changing events both large and small projects and across the globe.